The history of Port Blair, now renamed Sri Vijaya Puram is marked by the blood of native Andamanese and Indians, tormented and killed by British colonists.
If you look at the history from the beginning, the local Andamanese tribes originally inhabited Port Blair but were gradually displaced deeper into the islands following British colonization. During, the Indian freedom movement struggle, Indian freedom fighters like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Yogendra Shukla were imprisoned in the infamous Cellular Jail in Port Blair for their roles in the Indian independence movement.
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Cellular Jail in Port Blair
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East India Company, led by Governor-General Lord Cornwallis was determined to establish a colony in the Bay of Bengal islands. Lieutenant Archibald Blair was chosen for this mission to survey the islands. On his first voyage between December 1788 and April 1789, Blair surveyed the southern part of Great Andaman Island, identifying several potential harbours. One of these, a natural harbour on the southeastern coast, was initially named Port Cornwallis, later renamed Port Blair in his honour.
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Archibald Blair
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About Sri Vijaya Puram (Previously called Port Blair)
Port Blair's history dates back over 2,200 years. It was originally inhabited by indigenous tribes scattered across the Andaman Islands, with the Andamanese tribe residing in Port Blair. However, with the arrival of the British and the colonization of the islands, these tribes were gradually displaced deeper into the islands.
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Port Blair Clock Tower
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Port Blair is situated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an archipelago of approximately 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal, with only a small number of them being inhabited. The islands feature diverse landscapes, ranging from lush green forests to pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs.
The island is home to several museums and serves as the base for major military installations, including the Indian Navy's INS Jarawa. It also houses sea and air bases for the Indian Coast Guard, the Andaman and Nicobar Police, and the Andaman and Nicobar Command, which is the first integrated tri-command of the Indian Army.
The Cellular Jail
One of the most pivotal chapters in Port Blair's history is the construction of the notorious Cellular Jail. Built between 1896 and 1906, this prison became a symbol of colonial oppression. The Cellular Jail, also known as Kalapani (Black Water), was a colonial prison built to hold Indian freedom fighters and political prisoners.
Upon completion, each of the seven wings of the Cellular Jail had three stories. Instead of dormitories, the prison housed a total of 696 solitary cells. Each cell measured 4.5 by 2.7 meters (14.8 ft × 8.9 ft) with a small ventilator placed 3 meters (9.8 ft) high.
The name "Cellular Jail" was derived from these solitary cells, designed to isolate prisoners and prevent them from communicating with one another.
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Cellular Jail Complex
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Cellular Jail became a symbol of the suffering and sacrifices made by India's freedom fighters. Prisoners endured brutal treatment, solitary confinement, and forced labour. Despite these harsh conditions, the jail became a centre of resistance, where inmates found ways to communicate, educate one another, and strategize for the freedom movement. It played a key role in fostering nationalism and unity among the prisoners.
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Veer Savarkar Cell
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British first occupied the site in 1858, following the Indian Mutiny, using it as a penal colony. Indian revolutionaries were exiled over 850 miles from the mainland to the Andaman Islands, where they were forced to clear land and build their prisons before being incarcerated.
As the Indian independence movement gained momentum, the British saw the need for a larger facility, and by the late 19th century, construction began on the infamous circular Cellular Jail to house the growing number of political prisoners.
Significance of Renaming Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram
On 13 September 2024, the Government of India renamed Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram. Historically, this city is significant as it was where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first unfurled the Indian flag.
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Subash Chandra Bose at Cellular Jail
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Prominent Indian freedom fighters, including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Yogendra Shukla, were imprisoned in the Cellular Jail for their role in the Indian independence movement. Despite immense hardship, they never bowed down.
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The name "Sri Vijaya Puram" symbolizes the sacrifices and ultimate victory of Indians against the colonial and racist British rule.